Sketchbook Blog of Artist Robert James

Portrait Sketch

This drawing is PITT artist pens over gouache, on top of penciled notes. The initial line drawing is in sanguine and the white highlights are a gel rollerball.

I borrowed a technique I saw Don Colley use at a Faber Castell demonstration where he inks up his thumb with the PITT brush pen and then prints it into the drawing as a quick and easy way to add subtle texture and variation. Here I used it mainly in the hair. It’s dirty and fun.